Apparatus and methods for carrying out electrochemiluminescence test measurements

Abstract

An apparatus for conducting electrochemiluminescence test measurements consisting of a fluid container having a fluid flow path, a first counter electrode positioned within the fluid container directly secured to a transparent mounting block and having an electrode surface exposed to fluids within the fluid flow path, a working electrode with an electrode surface being displaced from the electrode surface of the first counter electrode laterally with respect to the flow direction of fluid within the fluid flow path.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for use in conducting electrochemiluminescence test measurements, comprising: a fluid container having a fluid flow path therethrough, the fluid container having a fluid inlet for introducing a fluid sample to the fluid flow path and a fluid outlet for emitting the fluid sample from the fluid flow path for conducting fluids through the fluid container along a flow direction through the fluid flow path from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet;   a first counter electrode positioned within the fluid container directly secured to a transparent mounting block and having an electrode surface exposed to fluids within the fluid flow path;   a working electrode positioned within the fluid container and having an electrode surface exposed to fluids within the fluid flow path; and   the electrode surface of the working electrode being displaced from the electrode surface of the first counter electrode laterally with respect to the flow direction of fluid within the fluid flow path and being positioned directly opposite to said transparent mounting block to which the first counter electrode is secured such that conductive fluid material entering within the fluid flow path from the electrode surface of one of the first counter electrode and the working electrode does not form a conductive bridge with the other of the first counter electrode and the working electrode.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the electrode surface of the first counter electrode is positioned upstream of the electrode surface of the working electrode; and wherein the apparatus further comprises a second counter electrode positioned within the fluid container and directly secured to the transparent mounting block and having an electrode surface exposed to fluids within the fluid flow path;   the electrode surface of the second counter electrode being displaced laterally with respect to the electrode surface of the working electrode, at least a portion of the electrode surface of the second counter electrode being positioned downstream of the electrode surface of the working electrode.   
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: sample transport means for transporting the fluid sample to the fluid container;   means for applying electrical energy to the working electrode; and   output signal producing means for producing an output signal representing light emitted by the fluid sample through electrochemiluminescence.